Took my new camera out today.

I took my new camera out today, for the first time.
I have learned that:
1) you can read something in a manual and forget what you read, when you don't have it.
2) if your going out to take photos it's best to have an idea of what you will take photos of.
3) I don't know what half the buttons/dials are for
4) need to make a point of practicing
5) learned how to use continuous, flash (built in), different film simulations, scene positions, semi-manual controls for ISO, how to look at photo info and theres a histograph, probably need a tripod for some of the stuff I want to do later.

What I don't understand is how I get over exposed photos on Auto, but not when I changed stuff myself, even though I was kinda guessing :-? or how I managed to get over exposed, clear focus shots, but nice exposure in the not so focussed shots?
(according to the graph anyway)
It was the very first time I have taken it out and used it though!
I will upload the photos when I get a chance.

Welcome to the wonderful world of photography, i dont do manuals myself but i am a man.

I think taking pics and seeing what works for you is the best learning curve, picking the brains of those toggers that impress will pay dividends, look forward to seeing your photos.

There was me wondering why the manual was in pdf and not paper I think I will see if I can save the manual and send it to my phone...but I have a feeling I will learn mostly by playing around with it..

I took my new camera out today, for the first time.
I have learned that:
1) you can read something in a manual and forget what you read, when you don't have it.
2) if your going out to take photos it's best to have an idea of what you will take photos of.
3) I don't know what half the buttons/dials are for
4) need to make a point of practicing
5) learned how to use continuous, flash (built in), different film simulations, scene positions, semi-manual controls for ISO, how to look at photo info and theres a histograph, probably need a tripod for some of the stuff I want to do later.

What I don't understand is how I get over exposed photos on Auto, but not when I changed stuff myself, even though I was kinda guessing :-? or how I managed to get over exposed, clear focus shots, but nice exposure in the not so focussed shots?
(according to the graph anyway)
It was the very first time I have taken it out and used it though!
I will upload the photos when I get a chance.

Hey Natalie

Well done for getting out and having a go, at least your not wasting expensive film like I did when I first set out to learn the wonders of photography

Regarding poor exposure, the cameras light meter can be fooled by certain lighting conditions, your doing the right thing by checking the histogram, at least you can then try some +/- EV compensation or a different metering method (maybe spot).

I totally agree with Dave...leave the bells and whistles for now and practice on Auto. When you have a feel for the camera go onto AV priority and then TV and then onto shooting in manual when you are good and ready. What camera did you get btw?

Thanks Ken, good advice there I'm thinking. Hopefully in a couple of months I should get a bit more time to practice too.
You know I wasnt even aware of cameras having those graphs when I ordered the camera!
Skyline, I notice with this one, it's a lot harder to keep steady compared to my last one, so I will bear in mind that it's worth just taking plenty shots to practice keeping steady. Theres one I'm going to post (hopefully) that I probably should have spent more time making sure it was steady.

have work my way through a few canons and Nikons I arrived at the Nikon D300 my first three trips all my pictures were binned ,I even thought I had a faulty camera but no it was me ,so stick at it ,it will soon be second nature to pick the settings you need.
a tip ,I dont know if anyone else agrees but when I get home before I take out the memory card I take out all the settings Ive put in and set the camera to auto/program ,this means the next time I go out and something happens and I need to point and shoot quick I know I am going to get some sort of picture.
to me a picture is better than no picture even if its not as good as it should be